The occurrence of a micropylar exudate in Musa and Enset (Musaceae)

Both pre-anthetic and post-anthetic ovules of the edible cultivars (A and B genome) exhibited a micropylar exudate. Early in ovule ontogeny the exudate was variable in presence. There appeared to be a determinate age when the triploid ovule begins to produce an exudate, between archesporia and megaspore. The production of an exudate may depend on the presence of a functioning megagametophyte or embryo sac. Embryo sac competency could be the cue to turn off pollen tube inhibition. The exudate may be linked to an ovarian self-incompatibility system.